Xie Qingjing said quietly, "Big brother, Father and Mother are waiting for you. Go see them first."
Xie Xiyi gave a hum of assent.
Ignoring Xie Qingjing, he stepped past him and walked on.
"Senior Brother Xuanji," Chi Yu said, "shall I leave you to it? May I look around the palace?"
But Xie Xiyi said, "Come with me."
Chi Yu was a little surprised, then understood. He was a guest, so he ought to meet Senior Brother Xuanji's parents.
He smiled and said, "All right, Senior Brother Xuanji. I'll go with you."
Xie Qingjing and Xie Qingning followed them. Watching Xie Xiyi and Chi Yu walk so close together, with Chi Yu even reaching out to catch Xie Xiyi's sleeve, they felt a bitter ache at such intimacy.
Their eldest brother had certainly been gentle with them before, but now, compared with how he had been, the difference was far too great.
They understood that it was because he was no longer the crown prince. The responsibility had fallen to Xie Qingjing, so Xie Xiyi's expectations of them had risen, giving rise to considerable dissatisfaction, and his attitude had naturally changed along with it.
But understanding was one thing. That sense of disparity was still difficult for them to accept.
Xie Qingning suddenly spoke up. "Big brother... there's someone I like."
"Is that so?" Xie Xiyi said indifferently.
"Yes," Xie Qingning said, "but Father and Mother won't agree to the marriage."
"Listen to Father and Mother," Xie Xiyi said coldly.
"But, big brother, I like him," Xie Qingning said.
"Listen to Father and Mother," Xie Xiyi said.
"Big brother-"
Xie Xiyi glanced at her, his gaze sharp. "Are you telling me all this because you want me to intercede for you?"
Xie Qingning opened her mouth, then said dejectedly,